- Where to see one
- 8 U.S. zoos in our directory hold henkel's leaf-tailed gecko, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
- Native range
- Madagascar — the island of Nosy Bé and the Ankaranafantsika region of the mainland
- Size
- Up to 280 mm (11 in) total length, including the tail
Conservation status
Vulnerableassessed 2010
IUCN Red List category VU — step 3 of 7.
About Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko
Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is a lizard in the gecko family Gekkonidae, also known by the alternate common names Henkel's flat-tailed gecko and the frilled leaf-tail gecko. It is endemic to Madagascar, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. The species is named for German herpetologist Friedrich-Wilhelm Henkel; its genus name, Uroplatus, comes from Greek words meaning "tail" and "flat."
There are two distinct color forms, or morphs, within the species: a Nosy Bé form and a mainland Madagascar form. The two can generally be told apart by their coloration patterns, though these patterns aren't always a reliable way to distinguish them. Reaching a total length of up to 280 mm (about 11 in), Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is one of the larger species in its genus.
Behavior and diet
Diet
Insectivorous; will also eat snails
This species lives an arboreal life, spending its time in the trees of the primary forest it inhabits. It only comes down to the ground for one specific reason: to lay its eggs in soft soil and leaf litter. Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is primarily insectivorous, feeding on insects, though it will also eat snails when it finds them.
Range and habitat
Habitat
Primary forest, living an arboreal (tree-dwelling) life
Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is found only on Madagascar. Within Madagascar, it occurs on the smaller island of Nosy Bé as well as on the mainland, in the region of Ankaranafantsika. In both locations, it lives in primary forest.
Conservation status
Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, in a 2010 assessment by Christopher Raxworthy and Miguel Vences.
The main threat is habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar, where the species depends on primary forest. Collection for the international pet trade adds to the pressure. The World Wide Fund for Nature has put every Uroplatus species on its "Top ten most wanted species list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because they are captured and sold at alarming rates.
The gecko is listed on CITES Appendix II, which means international trade in it is regulated and monitored.
Where to see henkel's leaf-tailed gecko in the U.S.
8 zoos across 8 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 8 zoos holding henkel's leaf-tailed gecko by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
California· 1
Florida· 1
New York· 1
Ohio· 1
Oklahoma· 1
Oregon· 1
Pennsylvania· 1
Virginia· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko: common questions
Is Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko endangered?
It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN (2010), mainly because of deforestation in Madagascar and collection for the pet trade.
How big does a Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko get?
It reaches a total length of up to 280 mm (about 11 inches), including its tail, making it one of the larger species in its genus.
What does a Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko eat?
It's primarily insectivorous, though it will also eat snails when available.
Where do Henkel's leaf-tailed geckos live in the wild?
They're endemic to Madagascar, found on the island of Nosy Bé and in the Ankaranafantsika region of the mainland, always in primary forest.
Which U.S. zoos have Henkel's leaf-tailed geckos?
Six U.S. zoos list them, including the Oakland Zoo in California and the Oregon Zoo in Portland.
